Eswatini Railways (ESR) has launched a major initiative to establish weekly train services along the Matsapha–Durban corridor. The organization has started a three-month trial to determine if scheduled trains can become a regular feature for the country’s importers and exporters.
The initiative was announced during the ESR Integrated Logistics Workshop on Wednesday at Esibayeni Lodge, where ESR, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), and Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) met with over 50 corridor stakeholders to address ongoing delays and improve cross-border cargo movement.
ESR’s Director of Business Development, Nomvuyo Dludlu, told participants that the corridor’s success depends on coordinated planning among rail operators, port authorities, and customers. She mentioned that a lack of cargo visibility, especially when vessels dock without ESR being notified, continues to disrupt scheduling and decrease efficiency.
To address this, ESR, TFR, and TPT are creating a shared integrated planning system. Customers will need to provide monthly and quarterly forecasts of both exports and imports, allowing rail operators to plan cargo arrival slots and make departures more predictable.
A key operational requirement discussed at the workshop is that a full train must consist of at least 40 wagons to move cost-effectively between Durban and Matsapha. While export volumes often meet this threshold, fragmented import volumes continue to disrupt scheduling reliability.
Dludlu urged companies to consolidate their imports, even if each contributes only a single container, emphasizing that collaboration is essential for ensuring reliable, scheduled train services.
In what ESR described as a turning point, Transnet has pledged to provide a train every week for the next three months, provided the 40-wagon minimum is met. Dludlu said the trial is a crucial opportunity for Eswatini.
“After three months, Transnet wants one answer: can Eswatini reliably fill a 40-wagon train?” she said. “If we fail, we can’t go back and ask for weekly services.”
She emphasized that shifting more cargo from road to rail is not just a logistical decision but a national economic benefit. Rail transportation greatly decreases costs for bulk cargo, enhancing export competitiveness and ensuring the timely delivery of imported inputs.
“The more we export, the higher our GDP rises. The more we receive inputs on time, the more production stabilizes,” she said, adding that road transportation will continue to serve express cargo. Meanwhile, rail offers the most cost-effective solution for bulk transportation.
Dludlu acknowledged past reliability issues, including missed schedules that have halted manufacturing. The organization said it is adopting a customer-focused approach based on understanding production cycles, lead times, and delivery windows.
The new approach emphasizes:
• Integrated logistics planning
• Shared monthly and quarterly forecasts
• Visibility on import and export flows
• Consistent communication and continuous improvement